France, Alternative Libertaire AL #246 - Urban Folder:
Montpellier: LUTTOPIA, Act II (fr, it, pt) [machine translation]
A self-managed social center, a requisitioned habitat, a place of convergence of struggles
and support... it's all this, the Luttopia project. After six months of operation, the
police violently evacuated Uttopia 001. Two weeks later opened Uttopia 002, in another
part of the city. ---- In the spring of 2014 opened in Montpellier Uttopia 001, a
self-directed social center installed in a large complex of buildings: a building, a
dining room, an activity room and a beautiful mansion, all belonging to the Bar
Montpellier. ---- The housing shortage is quite critical in this city where rents are sky
high. 80% of the population is eligible for social housing... but this is a rare
commodity. More than 17 000 people are waiting for a grant. At the same time, more than 18
000 dwellings are empty and emergency housing solutions are completely con gestionnées:
80% of calls to Samu Social are unsuccessful.
For Luttopia collective requisition is a partial response to this crisis, caused by
capitalist management of housing. Uttopia 001 has hosted more than 100 people: students
and students, young workers and unemployed under 25 years, but also undocumented and a
dozen families homeless. Quickly, a food parcel distribution was established, based recovery.
Permanence World physicians
Luttopia also wanted a place to meet, support the struggles and cultural activity. Many
free workshops were set up: singing, theater, boxing, nin-jitsu, clowns and concerts...
The squat hosted intermittent fighting, the collective Fight against insecurity and the
CGT-Précaires. Health and legal center has also been set up with the presence of Doctors
of the World, who offered weekly consultations.
The Autonomous Social Center operated through coordination at two levels, that of the
inhabitants and locals on one side, and on the other that of the associations (Doctors of
the World, Cimade, LDH...), trade unions (CGT precarious) and political organizations (AL,
CGA, JC, FCP...). AL Montpellier held a number of meetings there, and some militants were
heavily involved in the project.
Obviously, the Bar did not appreciate. After a few crocodile tears, this powerful
corporation lobbied the courts to throw us out. After a bitter legal battle, deportation
was ordered.
On 24 October, a CRS half company, accompanied by the Anti-Crime Brigade (Bac), the
Departmental Response Company and the Border Police (Paf) attacked the social center.
Within an hour, all the buildings were stormed and evacuated people, even if a steeplejack
brave could resist longer before being dropped.
In the aftermath, to protest, residents and supporters blocked the tram line 3 for more
than two hours, despite police violence tear gas, batons, feet, fists, the cops have not
saved their means.
This violent expulsion has only strengthened the determination of the coordination. On 14
November Luttopia commandeered a new empty building belonging to the General Council: 2000
sqm on 6 floors. Uttopia 002 opened and will make noise!
Fredo and matthijs (AL Montpellier)
http://www.alternativelibertaire.org/?Montpellier-LUTTOPIA-Acte-II
